As of this morning, voting is officially underway for the 78th Emmy Awards. Between now and 10 p.m. on Aug. 26, members of the Television Academy will weigh in on some of the toughest questions coming out of this season of TV.
But what are those questions? There are a handful of conundrums that we’ve been chewing over throughout the season, some of which aren’t much clearer than they were when nominations were announced back in July.
With that in mind, here are the biggest questions we’ll be asking ourselves until the Emmys get handed out across three nights: Sept. 5, 6, and 13.
Can Widow’s Bay slay Hacks?
It’s a battle between shows at the opposite ends of their respective runs. Hacks closed out five acclaimed seasons with a finale that’s largely seen as having stuck the landing. And then there’s Widow’s Bay, the freshman horror-comedy with a tone all its own, an instantaneously diehard fanbase, and an ensemble that’s practically crying out for a casting Emmy.
Primetime Emmy Awards 2026
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Margo’s Got Money Troubles
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Only Murders in the Building
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Hacks holds a healthy lead in the current Gold Derby odds for Comedy Series, but Widow’s Bay is clinging to a statistically significant percentage of the votes, especially for an untested show.
Can The Pitt hang on?
With The Studio still working on Season 2, the Noah Wyle-led medical drama is the only of last year’s Series winners returning to defend its title, but it has some stiff competition. Pluribus from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan is favored in both Best Drama Writing and Best Drama Directing, and the last time we checked, both writing and directing were pretty central characteristics of a show’s overall quality.
Primetime Emmy Awards 2026
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
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Your Friends and Neighbors
Is it finally Rhea Seehorn’s time?
Speaking of Pluribus, the world is filled with Better Call Saul fans who are wondering if the Television Academy is about to finally get around to handing Kim Wexler one of those damn statuettes. Seehorn, in addition to turning in one of the best performances of the year, is in the privileged position for a nominee of being seen as owed an Emmy. In terms of advantages heading into voting, that’s a potent mix.
Primetime Emmy Awards 2026
Does Zendaya get credit for being Zendaya?
As far as Seehorn’s competition goes, Keri Russell may have the slight advantage in Gold Derby’s odds, but it’s worth pointing out that Zendaya has never lost Drama Actress for playing Rue on Euphoria. Now, that show has certainly seen better days when it comes to critical standing and overall audience satisfaction. Zendaya’s role in the show, however, has escape much of the criticism. Combine that with acting in two of biggest movies of the year, and suddenly, her star might be too bright to ignore for voters.
How will Variety Series be awarded?
Upwards of five different shows could potentially win Best Variety Series this year. What does that even look like? Will presenters announce each winner one by one and allow the series producers come up to collect their statuettes, and deliver a speech before doing it all again until they’re done? Will the total number of winners be announced at the top of the presentation, or will shows have to wait in suspense to see if they’re included among the winners? There could be an article of questions just about this category.
What does a Harrison Ford acceptance speech sound like?
The man who breathed life into characters like Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and the Red Hulk has received many lifetime achievement awards over the course of his storied career. Never has he ever won a major competitive award, however. Ford’s acceptance speech at this year’s Actor Awards was surprisingly moving from the legendarily taciturn star. If he wins Comedy Supporting Actor — as the Gold Derby odds predict — what will that even sound like?
Primetime Emmy Awards 2026
What does a Mariska Hargitay monologue sound like?
One of the biggest questions heading into the night has nothing to do with an award at all. Mariska Hargitay was the surprise choice for emcee of the evening, and while she’s clearly a beloved figure in the medium, how does she open the show? Maybe she’ll arrest a member of the audience.
